Lincoln County’s first filed criminal case of 2026 is unique due to its unusual circumstances.

Milo Deloyd Bengston, 75, of Libby, is facing one felony charge of criminal mischief following an alleged road rage incident just outside city limits Dec. 20.

Following Montana Highway Patrol trooper Jonah Logan’s investigation, he arrested Bengston and took him to the county detention center on Dec. 29. But the defendant’s stay in custody was short after detention center officers learned Bengston had an artificial heart that was powered by a device that required it be charged each evening.

Because the facility does not have those capabilities, an order for the man’s release was granted by District Judge Matt Cuffe.

Bengston’s arraignment is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 26. 

Logan’s investigation launched Dec. 22 when he learned of the alleged road rage crash at 11:30 a.m. inside a public parking lot at the corner of Jennings Haul Road and Champion Haul Road. When he spoke to one of the alleged victims, she told the officer Bengston had intentionally backed into her and her husband’s vehicle following a verbal altercation between both men.

Tpr. Logan photographed the damaged vehicle and spoke to the alleged victims. They both said Bengston blocked their vehicle from leaving the parking area and when they attempted to drive around behind him, he backed into their vehicle with his Can-Am ATV.

The officer then photographed his vehicle and spoke to Bengston. He said the man was verbally aggressive with him and threatened him. The accused allegedly admitted to blocking the victim’s  vehicle so he could photograph his license plate. The defendant said the other man drove around his vehicle and side swiped him. But according to Tpr. Logan, the damage of both vehicles didn’t match what Bengston said and the defendant was arrested.

The maximum sentence for a conviction on felony criminal mischief is 10 years in prison